The Oklahoma City Thunder's fight for a playoff spot will likely come down to the season's last games. And fortunately for Russell Westbrook and company, they'll receive about all the help they could possibly get. According to coach Scott Brooks, reigning MVP Kevin Durant will return to the Thunder lineup in a "week or two."

It's weird that no one at Barclays Center noticed the New Orleans Pelicans lowering their basket to eight feet at halftime. You'd at least think the Brooklyn Nets would realize it after Anthony Davis touched the sky on this alley-oop, right?

Brook Lopez isn't the most explosive big man, but there's something to be said for coordination and fluidity making up for a lack of leaping ability and quick-twitch athleticism. How many seven-foot, 275-pound centers can make this play, for instance?

Boston Celtics big man Tyler Zeller was right where he wants to be – between the man he was guarding and the ball and the basket. One problem: Anthony Davis often renders what should be effective defensive positioning completely irrelevant.

It speaks volumes of Russell Westbrook's historic dominance and the brilliant consistency of Steph Curry and James Harden that Anthony Davis is barely on the MVP periphery. The Brow began the season like gangbusters and has barely slowed down when actually on the court – the problem is that he hasn't been for half of the New Orleans Pelicans' last 22 games.

The New Orleans Pelicans' playoff aspirations are effectively over, but there's no reason to believe their long-term future is any less bright. After Anthony Davis left last night's victory over the Miami Heat with a re-injured right shoulder, the team announced today that its 21 year-old superstar suffered no structural damage and will be sidelined from one-to-two weeks' time.

The Oklahoma City Thunder's path to the playoffs looks increasingly smooth. Shortly before Goran Dragic publicly requested a trade from the Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans announced that point guard Jrue Holiday will be out at least three additional weeks after aggravating the stress injury in his right leg.